A new initiative aims to address Arizona’s teacher shortage through an apprenticeship program. The Arizona Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program (AZ TRAP) is a collaborative effort between the State of Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona Office of Apprenticeship. It offers aspiring educators a path to certification at little to no cost, classroom teaching experience, and a wage while participating.
Superintendent Tom Horne highlighted the urgency of the situation: “There is a crisis in Arizona, and we must take strong action. We are losing more teachers than are coming into the profession. If we don’t do something major, we could end up with zero teachers.” He emphasized that while better pay and administrative support for teachers are necessary, apprenticeship programs provide another solution.
The AZ TRAP has secured $1.5 million from the Maricopa County Workforce Development Board to support apprentices in Maricopa County during the 2025-2026 school year. The pilot program involves Mesa Public Schools, Phoenix Union High School District, The Arizona Teacher Residency Program, and PLC Charter Schools as employers and partners.
Participants will gain thousands of hours of on-the-job learning with mentor teachers, developing essential classroom skills over extended periods. This “Grow Your Own” model allows schools to select prospective employees early on, integrating them into their culture and staff with the aim of increasing educator retention.
Horne added that “apprenticeships can help address this crisis by encouraging the development of more educators,” stating that this effort aligns with his commitment to training quality educators for Arizona classrooms.
